Little Forest Playschool Family Handbook 2014 – 2015 Explore! Play! Learn!
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Little Forest Playschool
Family Handbook
2014 – 2015
Explore! Play! Learn!
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Welcome Families!
Little Forest Playschool 3880 Villa Street Los Alamos, NM 87544 505.662.5895 www.littleforestplayschool.org
Welcome to Little Forest Playschool —
We’re glad you’re here!
In selecting Little Forest Playschool, you’ve done more than just choose a childcare center for your child; you are joining a community dedicated to creating an interactive and holistic environment for our children.
Little Forest Playschool has been providing high-quality preschool classes to the Los Alamos community since 1951. We are a private, non-profit, parent cooperative offering programs for both full-time and part-time classes, for children ages 2 – 5. We take great pride in our commitment to creating life-long learners.
Where they can discover:
that they can grow to be independent learners, that they can be creative and divergent thinkers, that they can and will be willing to ask questions, take risks and practice self-control.
Our classes offer widespread opportunities for children to develop and enhance their social, physical, and intellectual skills in an environment that cultivates both individual awareness and respect for the rights of others.
Little Forest was intentionally established as a Parent Cooperative to encourage parents to observe and participate in the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of their children. Your participation not only creates a richer classroom environment, it also sends a powerful message of value and respect to our children. We strongly encourage all parents to share their interests and talents with the school.
We are delighted to welcome you to our community!
Sincerely,
April Wade
Executive Director [email protected]
PLAYSCHOOL IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, WHICH WELCOMES CHILDREN OF ANY RACE, RELIGION, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, OR ABILITY TO ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHOOL.
“If it hasn’t been in the
HAND...and the
BODY...it can’t be in
the BRAIN.” -Bev Bos
“Research has shown that young children
learn best through direct sensory
encounters and not through a formal
academic process.Learning should be the
outcome of hands- on experience,
especially play!”
-National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC)
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Table of Contents WELCOME FAMILIES! .................................................................................................................................... II
ABOUT US ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 PHILOSOPHY .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 MISSION ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 LICENSING ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 HOURS OF OPERATION ................................................................................................................................................ 2 HOLIDAYS .................................................................................................................................................................. 2 DEFINITION OF FAMILY ................................................................................................................................................ 2 ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 2 INCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 NON-DISCRIMINATION ................................................................................................................................................ 2 FAMILY ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 CONFIDENTIALITY ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 WORK CREDITS (1 WORK CREDIT = 1 HOUR WORK) .......................................................................................................... 3
Playground Workday ................................................................................................................................ 3
Fall Fiesta .................................................................................................................................................. 3
LFP Resale ................................................................................................................................................. 3 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 4 CHILD TO STAFF RATIOS ............................................................................................................................................... 4 COMMUNICATION & FAMILY PARTNERSHIP .................................................................................................................... 4 OPEN DOOR POLICY .................................................................................................................................................... 5 PUBLICITY.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
CURRICULA & LEARNING ............................................................................................................................... 6 LEARNING ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................................ 6 CURRICULA & ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 6 OUTINGS & FIELD TRIPS .............................................................................................................................................. 6 TRANSITION ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 TRANSITION FROM HOME TO CENTER ............................................................................................................................. 7 TRANSITION BETWEEN LEARNING PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................. 7 TRANSITION TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ............................................................................................................................ 7 TRANSITION FOR ALTERNATIVE CARE .............................................................................................................................. 7 TELEVISION TIME ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 MULTICULTURALISM ................................................................................................................................................... 7 CELEBRATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 REST TIME ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 TOILET TRAINING ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 GENERAL PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................................. 9 CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR ............................................................................................................................................. 9
LFP Aggressive Behavior Policy .......................................................................................................................... 9 PHYSICAL RESTRAINT ................................................................................................................................................... 9 CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS........................................................................................................................................ 10 REGISTRATION TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 10
TUITION AND FEES ...................................................................................................................................... 11 REGISTRATION FEES .................................................................................................................................................. 11 SIBLING DISCOUNT ................................................................................................................................................... 11 SUPPLY FEES ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 PAYMENT DATES ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 LATE PAYMENT FEES ................................................................................................................................................. 11
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EARLY DROP-OFF & LATE PICK-UP FEES ....................................................................................................................... 11 SCHEDULE CHANGES................................................................................................................................................. 12 DROP-IN FEES ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 SIGN IN/OUT FEES ................................................................................................................................................... 12 WITHDRAWAL FEES .................................................................................................................................................. 12 SPECIAL ACTIVITY FEES .............................................................................................................................................. 12 RETURNED CHECKS/REJECTED TRANSACTION CHARGES .................................................................................................. 12
FINANCIAL AID POLICY ................................................................................................................................. 13 CYFD ASSISTANCE ................................................................................................................................................... 13 LFP SCHOLARSHIPS .................................................................................................................................................. 13
ATTENDANCE & WITHDRAWAL .................................................................................................................... 14 ABSENCE ................................................................................................................................................................ 14 SCHEDULED CLOSURE DATES ..................................................................................................................................... 14 VACATION/EXTENDED ABSENCE CREDIT ...................................................................................................................... 14 TRANSFER OF RECORDS ............................................................................................................................................. 14 SNOW CLOSURES AND DELAYS ................................................................................................................................... 14 DISMISSAL .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
DROP-OFF & PICK-UP ................................................................................................................................... 15 GENERAL PROCEDURE .............................................................................................................................................. 15 AUTHORIZED & UNAUTHORIZED PICK-UP ..................................................................................................................... 15 RIGHT TO REFUSE CHILD RELEASE ............................................................................................................................... 15 CELL PHONE USAGE ................................................................................................................................................. 15
PERSONAL BELONGINGS .............................................................................................................................. 16 WHAT TO BRING ...................................................................................................................................................... 16 CUBBIES ................................................................................................................................................................. 16 LOST & FOUND........................................................................................................................................................ 16 TOYS FROM HOME ................................................................................................................................................... 16 COSTUMES ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
NUTRITION .................................................................................................................................................. 17 LUNCH ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 SNACKS .................................................................................................................................................................. 17 FOOD ALLERGIES ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 MEAL & SNACK TIMES .............................................................................................................................................. 17 TODDLER FEEDINGS .................................................................................................................................................. 17
HEALTH POLICIES ......................................................................................................................................... 18 IMMUNIZATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 PHYSICALS & OTHER HEALTH SCREENINGS ................................................................................................................... 18 ILLNESS .................................................................................................................................................................. 19 FOOD ALLERGY POLICY ............................................................................................................................................. 19 MEDICATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ........................................................................................................................................ 20
SAFETY ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 CLOTHING ............................................................................................................................................................... 21 COMMUNAL WATER-PLAY ........................................................................................................................................ 21 INJURIES ................................................................................................................................................................. 21 BITING ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR ............................................................................................................................................. 21 SMOKING ............................................................................................................................................................... 21 PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES .......................................................................................................................................... 22
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DANGEROUS WEAPONS ............................................................................................................................................. 22 CHILD CUSTODY ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE ........................................................................................................................................... 22
EMERGENCIES ............................................................................................................................................. 23 LOST OR MISSING CHILD ............................................................................................................................................ 23 FIRE SAFETY ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................................................... 23
LFP GOVERNANCE & STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................. 24 POWERS & DUTIES OF THE CORPORATION ................................................................................................................... 24 POWERS & DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ........................................................................................................ 24 DUTIES OF THE NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE .............................................................................................. 24 PLAYSCHOOL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (POC) ............................................................................................................. 24 DUTIES OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE ..................................................................................................................... 24 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ............................................................................................................................................. 24
LFP PARENTS’ GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................ 25
OTHER CENTER POLICIES ............................................................................................................................. 25
HISTORY OF LITTLE FOREST PLAYSCHOOL ..................................................................................................... 25
APPENDIX A: HOLIDAYS & EVENTS 2014-2015 * ........................................................................................... 26
APPENDIX B: FAMILY ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................. 27
APPENDIX C: 2014-2015 SCHEDULES & RATES .............................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX D: CHILD CARE CENTER EXCLUSION LIST ...................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX E: HEALTH PROVIDER INFORMATION & RESOURCES .................................................................... 30
APPENDIX F: LFP DISCIPLINE POLICY ............................................................................................................ 33
APPENDIX G: CHAIN OF COMMAND ............................................................................................................. 36
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About Us Our Philosophy
At Little Forest Playschool we believe children learn best through PLAYful interactions with the environment and others, creating relationships with family, peers, teachers and the community, which will inspire them throughout their lives to be respectful members of a global community! Here at LFP we value and embrace all children and their families!
“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein
Our Mission
The mission of Little Forest Playschool is to provide the opportunity, through play, for every child and their family to engage in a developmental age appropriate learning environment,
where they can discover:
that they can grow to be independent learners, that they can be creative and divergent thinkers, that they can and will be willing to ask questions, take risks and practice self-control.
Life is not a race for knowledge, but a journey of discovery. ~ Bev Boss
Our Approach to Learning
PLAY is BEST!
Play provides children with opportunities to enhance their social and emotional growth and learn about friendships and responsibility. Social Skills are enhanced through both group activities, such as story and sharing time, as well as through imaginative, dramatic play that encourages creativity, teamwork and cooperative play.
Play develops language and problem solving skills as children generate solutions and make decisions.
Playing with building blocks, manipulatives, and puzzles encourages children to learn math concepts such as space, shapes, balance, size, and how things fit together; experimenting with paints, crayons, markers, water colors, clay and colored paper teaches colors and enhances fine motor skills; hands-on experiences and games introduce the concepts of counting and letters in meaningful ways such as placing the correct number of glasses and plates on the snack table or learning to print their name on their artwork.
Play encourages use of the imagination and creative abilities through exploration and discovery in an enjoyable learning experience. Children learn through doing, experimenting, discovering and exploring, rather than memorizing isolated facts or information. Qualified and experienced teachers facilitate children’s learning by following an integrated curriculum whereby they interact with children during teacher-directed learning experiences, and during both free play indoors and outdoors.
Years of research have shown that self-directed and spontaneous play is necessary for children to build their social and cognitive skills. The deprivation of play has led to a crisis among children with respect to their fitness, their health, their strength, their coordination, and their cognitive abilities. ~ Dr. Joe Frost, Early Childhood Specialist, University of Texas Author, Play and Child Development
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Licensing
NM State Licensed Child Care Center License #40157 3 Star Child Care Center, FOCUS pilot participant
Hours of Operation
Childcare services are provided year-round from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Summer camps may be available according to interest and demand.
Holidays
Please refer to Appendix A for the current year schedule.
Definition of Family
In this handbook we refer to family as a parent, legal guardian, sponsor or anyone else who provides for the well-being, best interest and responsibility of the child in our care.
Admission & Enrollment
All admission and enrollment forms must be completed and registration fee paid prior to your child’s first day of attendance.
A non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of enrollment. Fees for the current year are listed in Appendix C at the back of this handbook.
Based on the availability and openings, our facility admits children from 2 to 5 years of age.
Families are welcome and encouraged to schedule a tour of our center prior to enrollment.
Inclusion
Little Forest Playschool believes that children of all ability levels are entitled to the same opportunities for participation, acceptance and belonging in child care. We will make every reasonable accommodation to encourage full and active participation of all children in our program based on his/her individual capabilities and needs.
Non-Discrimination
At Little Forest Playschool equal educational opportunities are available for all children, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. Educational programs are designed to meet the varying needs of all students.
Family Activities
Little Forest Playschool has been established as a Parent Cooperative in order for parents to observe and participate in the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of their children. LFP recognizes that each family is a child’s first teacher. We value families as partners in the growth and development of children in our program. We encourage parents and other family members to be involved in the program, visit children’s classrooms, participate in events, and provide feedback on the program. Parental participation creates a richer classroom environment and sends a powerful message of value and respect to our children.
We offer a variety of ways in which families can participate in helping us establish and reach our program goals.
Please see the list of some of our family activities in Appendix B the end of this handbook.
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Confidentiality
Unless we receive your written consent, information regarding your child will not be released with the exception of that required by our regulatory and partnering agencies. All records concerning children at our program are confidential.
All staff members and volunteers are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding all aspects of our interactions with children, parents, and each other. When you discuss concerns with teachers, be sure you do so where you cannot be overheard by other adults or children.
Work Credits (1 work credit = 1 hour work)
LFP is a parent co-op and all families are expected to participate in maintaining LFP’s equipment and operation. When parents are actively involved with their child's schooling at all levels, children have a higher chance of success. Each family at LFP is required to fulfill 5 school-wide work credits and 5 classroom work credits per school year. During the summer session, each family is required to fulfill 3 work credits. Families with more than one child enrolled are required to complete 15 work credits during the school year and 3 work credits during the summer session. Families who enroll after January 1 for the remainder of the school year are encouraged to complete all 10 hours of the work credits, but are only required to complete 5 hours.
It is the responsibility of the parents to be sure they are signed up for and complete all work credits. Work credits must be completed by the last day of the school year or summer session; there is no grace period. There will be a $40/credit fee for any work credits not completed by the end of your contract or withdrawal.
Both types of work credits may be completed by serving on the Board of Directors (BOD) or Playschool Operations Committee (POC). The school-wide work credit may be completed by helping during the entire day of Fall Fiesta (including set-up and/or cleanup), participating in all of Playground Workday or other jobs as defined by the office. If you have any special skills or interests, feel free to stop by the office and discuss the possibility of completing your credits by doing a special project.
The teachers in each room will define the classroom work credits. It is the responsibility of each family to talk to your child’s teacher to find out what work credit jobs are available for both credits.
Playground Workday
In an attempt to upgrade and maintain the outdoor play area, we will have one or two work
parties a year to improve the yard or install new equipment. We shall ask for volunteer time,
labor, and equipment. Participating in Playground Work Day goes towards fulfilling the school-wide work credit.
Fall Fiesta
In the Fall, LFP holds its annual “Fall Fiesta”. This carnival/fund raiser is open to the public and offers special children’s activities, food, entertainment, and much more. Volunteering at Fall Fiesta is an easy way to fulfill the school-wide work credit as well as participate in a fun and energetic community tradition.
LFP Resale
In October, and again in March, Little Forest Playschool hosts a community-wide resale. The spring and Fall Resale events are Little Forest’s biggest fundraisers, and comprise a sizable portion of LFP’s yearly budget. Little Forest organizes, advertises, and provides a space where members of the community may sell gently used children’s toys, clothing, baby equipment, books, etc.
The Sellers at this event earn 65% of the selling price and LFP retains 35%. Details for sellers and sign-up sheets for volunteers are available at http://littleforestplayschool.org around the time of each event. Due to the community wide popularity of Resale, volunteer workers receive early shopping privileges, but volunteering to work at Resale DOES NOT fulfill a Work Credit. However, tagging donated items for resale does count toward work credits.
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Staff Qualifications
Our staff are hired in compliance with the state requirements and qualifications as a base minimum. Typical staff certifications are as follows:
Position Title Education/Certification Experience Teacher Associate Degree in Early Childhood
Education or related field or NM Child Development Certificate (CDC) or Child Development Associate Certification (CDA)
2 years
Aide 45 hour Early Childhood Entry Level Course or associates degree level course in Child Growth and Development (or other suitable equivalent course)
1 year
Staff participate in an orientation class and ongoing training in the areas of child growth and development, healthy and safe environments, developmentally appropriate practices, guidance, family relationships, cultural and individual diversity, and professionalism through FOCUS or other state recognized training facilitators.
Child to Staff Ratios
Children are supervised at all times. All caregivers receive scheduled breaks, which reduce fatigue and help to ensure alertness.
We maintain the following NM licensing standards for child to staff ratios*:
Age NM Child to Staff Ratios
Typical LFP Ratios Maximum Group Size
2-3 year olds 12 to 1 8 to 1 16
3-4 year olds 14 to 1 9 to 1 18
4-5 year olds 14 to 1 9 to 1 18
3-5 year olds 14 to 1 9 to 1 18
*NOTE: Typical LFP ratios are based on 2 staff assigned to each classroom during hours of high enrollment. Occasionally special circumstances will dictate that the ratio be higher, but ratios will never be higher than the NM licensing standards.
Communication & Family Partnership
Daily Communications. Daily notes or verbal communication from center staff will keep you informed about your child’s activities and experiences at the center.
Newsletters. Monthly school-wide and classroom newsletters provide general LFP & specific classroom news, events, announcements, etc. School-wide newsletters are emailed to families and posted on our website, as well as posted on the lobby bulletin board. Hard copies are available upon request. Classroom teachers post news letters in the lobby and classroom and may email them to families at their own discretion.
Bulletin Boards. Located throughout the center & in each classroom, bulletin boards provide center news, upcoming events, faculty changes, holiday closing dates, announcements, etc.
Email. We encourage you to provide an email address that you use regularly so that we may send you announcements, event invitations, newsletters and general updates. Monthly invoices are also sent via email.
Lending Library. LFP’s lending library in the lobby provides a variety of children’s books available for families to borrow, read together, and return. Reading aloud with children is the best way to promote
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reading. It is also important to their growth and development in literacy. So grab a book or two and enjoy!
“THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY for building knowledge for their eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children” - Becoming a Nation of Readers, a 1985 report by the Commission on
Reading.
For parents, we have some books to increase their understanding of child development and other early childhood topics. These resources are also available on loan; please return within a reasonable amount of time so that other families can benefit from them.
Family Visits. Family participation is encouraged. Visit our classrooms, volunteer, come along on a field trip, or eat a meal with your child. Signing in is required for the safety and protection of our children.
Family Night. LFP and/or some classrooms schedule family nights on a regular basis. These nights include snacks, drinks and fun filled age-appropriate activities for families. Family Nights allow families and children time to share, learn, and have fun. Families have an opportunity to be a part of their child’s learning experience and connect with other families.
Conferences. Family & teacher conferences occur 2 - 3 times a year. Parent/Teacher conferences provide the opportunity to interact with the teacher on a much deeper level regarding the child’s progress, as well as to address any particular concerns that may have arisen. During these conferences, we will discuss your child’s strengths, likes and dislikes, and styles of learning. Our teachers will share with you a portfolio highlighting your child’s progress and samples of their creative work. We will work together to set goals for your child’s growth and development.
If a serious problem manifests at LFP, the teacher will contact the parent(s) to discuss options and solutions. You may request additional conferences regarding your child’s progress at any time. We encourage you to communicate any concerns.
Open Door Policy
We are delighted to have family members participate in our program. Parents/Guardians are welcome to visit the program any time during regular program hours.
Open Door Policy does not mean the doors will be unlocked. For the safety and protection of the children, external doors may be kept locked.
Our team will always do their best to speak with parents/guardians. Since staff days are devoted to caring for children, it is usually not feasible to have a long discussion during regular program hours. If a situation requires a longer discussion, kindly arrange for an appointment.
The Office door is often kept closed – this is not for the exclusion of families, but rather for protection of your privacy AND to keep the heat from escaping in the cold months. If we are in a conference that cannot be interrupted, please leave a message on the door and we will be happy to give you a call once the meeting is over.
Publicity
LFP staff often take photos of the children for purposes of developmental documentation as well as for various events. Some photos may be used in our newsletters (no names used), which are posted in the lobby and on our website. We occasionally use photos of children in our local ads (also without names). Please let us know if you have any objections to using your child’s photos in any way. We respect your right to decide.
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Curricula & Learning Little Forest Playschool is a developmentally oriented preschool. Our goal is to provide activities and experiences that meet the needs of individual children across a wide variety of ages, abilities, and behaviors.
LFP’s classrooms are carefully structured to encourage the development of independence, self-esteem, curiosity, creativity, and competency through meaningful and enjoyable hands-on activities, and through positive interactions with peers and adults. We emphasize learning by doing, and we believe that the process is more important than the product.
Teachers plan curriculum and organize the learning environment based on children’s interests as well as their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Our teachers may use themes in their curriculum planning, but the underlying criteria for any lesson plan is to provide the developmentally appropriate activities for each and every child every day.
In 2013 LFP was accepted into FOCUS, New Mexico's third generation Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS). Developed by the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), the goal of FOCUS is to foster program leadership, cultivate teacher quality, and support positive outcomes for all children. A centralized FOCUS consultation and training system supports participants in identifying and establishing specific goals to meet the criteria outlined in the FOCUS Revised Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System for Early Learning and Development Programs – Essential Elements of Quality that include:
Authentic child assessment and curriculum planning process
Family Engagement Strategies
Health, Safety and Health Promotion Practices
Comprehensive Program Assessment and Continuous Improvement
Early Childhood Educator Qualifications
Learning Environment
We provide a rich learning environment with curricula that are developmentally appropriate to the specific ages in each classroom. We have a flexible daily routine that allows children to advance at their own pace. We strongly believe that learning happens through play. Learning and exploring are hands-on and are facilitated through interest areas. Our program is designed to enhance children’s development in the following areas: creativity, self-expression, decision-making, problem solving, responsibility, independence, and reasoning. We encourage openness to that which is different from us, and the ability to work and play with others.
Curricula & Assessment
Little Forest Playschool follows the FOCUS program’s criteria for quality in early childhood education, which complements our play-based philosophy. Using the guidelines for the Essential Elements of Quality for Center-Based Programs, and the NM Early Learning Guidelines, we gather information about each child’s developmental abilities and evaluate progress so we can modify and adjust what we are doing in our classroom so as to deliver the best individualized instruction for each child. This evaluation is communicated to families periodically during the school year using various formal and informal tools, forms, and resources.
For information about your child’s day, please see copies of daily schedules and lessons plans posted in each classroom.
Outings & Field Trips
Weather permitting; we conduct supervised walking trips around the neighborhood. Children are accounted for at all times. The classroom teacher will have a permission form posted any time a field trip is scheduled. An authorized family member must sign the permission form for participation in these trips.
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From time to time, there will be other supervised field trips, and we encourage you to join your child on the trip if at all possible. These trips often involve traveling using public transportation (Atomic City Transit). The child’s family must sign Permission Slips for each trip.
For field trips, please dress your child appropriately for the season. Walking shoes are a must. Sandals and flip-flops are not appropriate for walking and make it difficult for your child.
The safety of children and staff will be guarded in all activities of childcare programs. Proper restraint systems (seat belts) and the correct use of them are critically important during travel to/from the child care program as well as during field trips.
Children are welcome to attend field trips scheduled on days they do not attend, but a parent or guardian must accompany them or pay a drop-in fee ($10/hr) if space is available. This is required to keep our teacher/student ratios within state regulations.
Transition
Your child’s transition in childcare should be a positive and exciting learning adventure. We will work with you and your child to ensure the smoothest possible transition occurs as new routines and new people are introduced.
Transition from home to center
Prior to your child’s first day, you will have an opportunity to tour the center, meet with your child’s peers and teachers, and communicate any anticipated concerns. At this time please share the best communication methods that the teacher may use to reach you.
Transition between learning programs
Children are transitioned to the next program based on age, developmental readiness, state licensing requirements, and space availability. During the transition, current and future teachers will meet with you to propose a plan to introduce your child into the new program.
Transition to elementary school
Transition activities such as a field trip to a local elementary school, creating a mural of special friends and special times at our center will be part of your child’s education at our center. We will provide you with information on local schools, what to expect, and ideas on how to talk to your child about going to elementary school.
Transition for alternative care
Children who are enrolled at other programs during part of our regular school day may continue with before/after school care at our center. The center will provide staff to ensure that your child arrives at the bus stop for pick up (before school) and drop off (after school) in a timely manner.
Television Time
LFP staff are all familiar with the NRC Licensing Toolkit Action Sheets to Limit Screen Time in Child Care. Our normal daily routine does not include television watching, but from time-to-time, we may play a short film clip or video as a teaching aid and discussion stimulator (often these clips deal with nature and animals which may be the subject of interest for the class). Programs will consist of non-violent and high-quality educational material. Our focus is to provide your child a positive experience with increased understanding of the world.
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is vital for all children because it sets social goals and promotes respect for all people and the environment we inhabit. We utilize books, music, games, and a wide range of activities as aids to teach our children respect for our world and the diversity of life upon it.
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Celebrations
Our holiday policy encourages an enhanced understanding of and respect for different cultures and beliefs of children, families, staff and community. We encourage our families to share information about celebrations that are important in their own cultures.
Rest Time
After lunch, all children participate in a quiet rest time. NM State Regulations require that all children at LFP for 5 or more hours have a rest period. Children are not required to sleep, and after 30-45 minutes a child who is not sleeping may be given quiet activities to do at their mat (or, at the teacher’s discretion, elsewhere in the room) provided they do not disturb other children who are resting. Please talk to your child’s teacher if you have concerns about the rest schedule.
For all children who stay through rest time, LFP provides a padded sleeping mat. Families are responsible for providing a sheet/cover, light blanket, and pillow, as well as a storage bag in which the mat will fit. We occasionally have some sheets and storage bags for sale in the Office. Sheets, covers, blankets and pillows will be sent home weekly for laundering, and are to be returned to the classroom at the start of the new week. Please label all items with your child’s name.
Toilet Training
The most important factor in making the toilet learning experience successful and as low-stress as possible is a family/teacher partnership that supports the child. Research indicates that children cannot successfully learn how to use the toilet until they are physically, psychologically, and emotionally ready. Many pediatricians say that most children under 24 months of age are not physically capable of regulating bladder and bowel muscles. Most positive toilet training occurs only after children show signs of physical control or awareness of their bodily functions and when they demonstrate an interest or curiosity in the process. We are committed to working with you to make sure that toilet learning is carried out in a manner that is consistent with your child’s physical and emotional abilities and your family’s concerns. Because of our commitment to toilet training when developmentally appropriate, we do not base a child’s transition to the next age group classroom based solely upon toilet training progress.
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Guidance
General Procedure
Little Forest Playschool is committed to each child’s success in learning within a caring, responsive, and safe environment that is free of discrimination, violence, and bullying. Our center works to ensure that all students have the opportunity and support to develop to their fullest potential and share a personal and meaningful bond with people in the school community.
Thoughtful direction and planning ahead are used to prevent problems and encourage appropriate behavior. Communicating consistent, clear rules and involving children in problem solving help children develop their ability to become self-disciplined. We encourage children to be fair, to be respectful of other people, of property, and to learn to understand the results of their actions.
Challenging Behavior
Children are guided to treat each other and adults with self-control and kindness.
Each student at LFP has a right to:
Learn in a safe and friendly place
Be treated with respect
Receive the help and support of caring adults
When a child becomes verbally or physically aggressive, we intervene immediately to protect all of the children. Our usual approach to helping children with challenging behaviors is to show them how to solve problems using appropriate interactions. When discipline is necessary, it is clear, consistent and understandable to the child.
LFP Aggressive Behavior Policy
We will use the following phased approached when dealing with aggressive behavior. 1. The first through third aggressive behavior incidents, the child will be redirected and a
behavior report made by the teacher in conjunction with the staff that witnessed the event. All reports (behavior, accident or incident) shall be signed by the parent. After being signed, the original will be filed in the office. Copies will go to the parents and into the child’s file.
2. Fourth aggressive behavior incident will require a parent/teacher conference to discuss issues and set goals for a Behavior Management Plan for parents and teachers to follow. (Behavior Management Plan should include a time line for expected improvement).
3. The Director will be informed of any and all incidents and invited to attend the parent conference if the teacher or parent feels her presence is needed.
4. Subsequent incidents will be recorded and communicated to parent/s on a Behavior Report. Severe or continued incidents will result in child’s dismissal from school for the day.
5. A child will be withdrawn from school if the aggressive behaviors do not show improvement during the time projected in the Behavior Management Plan and/or parent(s) will not cooperate with staff regarding the Behavior Management Plan.
Physical Restraint
Physical restraint is not used or permitted for discipline. There are rare instances when we need to ensure a child’s safety or that of others and we may restrain a child by gently holding her or him only for as long as is necessary for control of the situation.
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Registration
Classroom Assignments
Little Forest Playschool serves children ages 2 through 5. LFP follows the birth date cutoff as set by the public school system for entering Kindergarten.
The birth date cutoff for Fall session is September 1st: Children who are 2 years old before September 1st will be enrolled in Room 3, Children who are 3 years old before September 1st will be enrolled in Room 1, Children who are 4 years old before September 1st will be enrolled in Room 4 Children who are 3-5 years old before September 1st, and whose schedules fall only within the
8am-1pm time slot, will be enrolled in Room 2
In some cases, the parents and teachers may agree that the child should remain in his/her current room for another year.
Registration Times
Registration for summer and fall sessions is held over a two-week period in spring (usually late March). Registration days are announced in the LFP newsletter and on our website.
A non-refundable registration fee must accompany all registration forms (see next section, “Tuition & Fees” for details on fees). If you do not pay the registration fee, you risk losing your spot.
Week 1: Currently enrolled LFP families During the first week of registration, priority is given to families of children currently enrolled at LFP. If you miss your designated sign up time, you can sign up any time during open enrollment. Please note; we do not assume that your children will return (although we sincerely hope they will) and we DO NOT hold their spots.
Siblings of enrolled children may also be signed up during the first week of registration.
Week 2: Open to the Public The second week of registration opens to the general public. Registration for the general public is on a first come, first served basis.
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Tuition And Fees Registration Fees
Tuition rates and fees are determined prior to Registration for each school year. A non-refundable registration fee and a tuition deposit are due at the time of registration to reserve a space for your child. The tuition deposit is refundable at the end of the contract period if the family account is kept current and paid in full. For current LFP rates, fees, and schedules, refer to Appendix C.
Sibling Discount
Siblings who are enrolled at Little Forest Playschool receive a 10% discount. The first child will be billed at the regular rate and the second child will receive a 10% discount on their portion of their regularly contracted hours. The discount will be applied to the child with the lower tuition rate. The sibling discount does not apply to drop-in rates.
Supply Fees
A non-refundable supply fee will be charged at the beginning of each session to help cover the costs of snacks and consumables used in the classrooms. The supply fee schedule is as follows:
Rooms 1, 2, 4: $50/child will be charged in August, January, and June
Room 3: $75/child will be charged in August, January, and June
Payment Dates
Payment is always due in advance with no deduction for any absences, holidays, or closures due to inclement weather, power outages, or other situations beyond our control. Invoices will be sent via email, unless hard copy is requested; please be sure to let us know which family member should receive the email. If your email changed, please be sure to alert the director.
Late Payment Fees
The contracted tuition is due by the 15th of each month, regardless of whether you have received an invoice, as outlined in the Contract of Enrollment. Fees that are not paid on time are considered delinquent and a $25 late fee will be added to your next bill. The child may be removed from LFP if payments are delinquent by more than two months and the parents refuse to pay.
Families can check their balance on the lobby computer by clicking on “TUITION” and then entering their PIN #.
Early Drop-off & Late Pick-up Fees
Prior to class time, staff members prepare the classroom and activities for the day; they need this time to get ready for your children. If you arrive early, please do not bring your child into the classroom until their contracted time.
Being picked up late is distressing for a young child and hard on our staff. Preschool age children do not have a well-developed sense of time, nor do they have an understanding of getting caught in traffic, a long line at the market, etc. They do, however, recognize when they are supposed to be picked up because of parents arriving and the other children leaving. In addition, our teachers often have commitments after the end of their teaching time.
In addition, early drop-offs or late pick-ups can affect our child:staff ratios and may even put our staff into an overtime situation, thus draining our financial resources. For these reasons, we require parents to be at LFP at the scheduled time, otherwise you will be charged $5.00 for every 5 minute interval, or fraction thereof, if you arrive earlier or later than the child’s scheduled time. If you sign in/out with the incorrect time, the staff in the classroom will mark the correct time, and you will be charged accordingly.
A 5-minute grace period is given for drop-off and pick-up times, but this privilege should not be abused.
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Schedule Changes
If you wish to make any changes to your child’s schedule you must fill out a change of schedule form. You must return the completed form to the office. Changes will take effect on the first of the following month, if there is space to accommodate your new schedule. A change of schedule fee will be charged for any change made after initial registration:
$15 for 1st change $30 for 2nd change $45 for 3rd change $60 for all subsequent changes
During the formal registration period a change of schedule fee will not be charged to add time to the existing schedule in the same room.
Drop-in Fees
Drop-in care is for the convenience of LFP parents who need childcare on an irregular or occasional basis. Drop-in childcare is available ONLY to those students currently enrolled at Little Forest Playschool.
We do not take walk-ins. Drop-in care is by reservation only on a space-available basis, Monday through Friday from 7:30-5:30. The rate of Drop-in care is $10.00/hr. Please call the office at 662-5895 to make your reservations and cancellations. The full amount for the reserved time will be charged whether or not the time is used. Drop-in fees will be charged the next billing cycle.
Sign In/Out Fees
Due to state regulations, you are required to sign your child in and out. Each child has a list of persons approved to pick up. Each approved person has an assigned pin number to sign in/out with our computerized system. Please be patient when using the system, and be certain that you see your child’s name on the screen before clicking “ok”. If you forget your pin, you can ask the office staff. If the computer system is down, please use the attendance sheets provided and put the exact time you bring them in or pick them up as well as your initials. Please record the time you take charge of your child, not the time that you leave LFP.
State regulations require that Little Forest Playschool be able to account for every child every minute they are in our care. We must be able to track when students arrive, when they leave and with whom they leave. Because this is such a liability issue, you will be charged a $5 fee any time you do not sign your child in or out.
Withdrawal Fees
LFP requires fourteen days written notice if you plan to withdraw your child. You will be billed for an additional ½ month tuition and/or forfeit your enrollment deposit if LFP does not receive this required notification. A withdrawal fee of $85 will be charged if you withdraw your child before the end of the contract period.
Special Activity Fees
From time-to-time there will be additional fees associated with special activities or field trips. These fees are due prior to the event, activity or trip.
Returned Checks/Rejected Transaction Charges
All returned checks or rejected ACH (automatic debits) or credit card transactions will be charged a fee up to the maximum amount allowed by law. This charge may be collected electronically. Two or more returned checks or rejected transactions will result in your account being placed on “cash only” status.
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Financial Aid Policy CYFD Assistance
Little Forest Playschool accepts CYFD Childcare Assistance families. LFP does not submit CYFD assistance applications; that is the responsibility of the individual family. To see if you qualify for CYFD assistance, please visit their website: http://cyfd.org/child-care-services/child-care-assistance.
LFP Scholarships
Little Forest designates at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) every year for financial aid. This fund is to help pay tuition for families who are experiencing financial hardship. Funds will be dispensed at the discretion of the Director, with no more than 20% of the funds going to any one family without Board approval. No more than 50% of any child’s tuition may be covered by LFP scholarship. If additional funds for financial aid become available through grants or donations, a plan for distribution will be developed and approved by the Director or Board of Directors.
1. Requests for scholarships may be submitted at any time during the school year or summer session. Applications can be downloaded from the Little Forest Playschool web site at littleforestplayschool.org and a hard copy is available in the office. Additional information or a letter of request may be attached to the application.
2. Pay stubs covering a one month period or other supporting financial documents must accompany the application.
3. Scholarship applicants are expected to meet all of the standard contract agreements, including payment of the registration fee, the tuition deposit, and completion of the work credit requirements. All families are encouraged to volunteer beyond the minimum requirements.
4. A list of jobs will be available to those families that need ongoing tuition assistance. Reimbursement, at the minimum wage hourly rate, will be credited to the family’s account for completion of these jobs. Based on the total amount of the tuition reduction over a calendar year, Little Forest Playschool may issue a Form 1099-B to participants. This method of assistance is available upon request to all LFP families who have satisfied their work credit requirements. Jobs include: snow removal, playground maintenance, general handyman repairs, library maintenance, office duties and shopping, etc.
5. Application information will be reviewed and scholarships will be awarded based on the needs of each individual case and on the availability of scholarship funds. Any review or consultation will be conducted with complete confidentiality, including names.
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Attendance & Withdrawal Absence
If your child is going to be late or absent, please call us at 505-662-5895. Please let us know if your child has an excludable illness (Appendix D) so that we can alert staff and families to possible symptoms in the other children.
Scheduled Closure Dates
Drop-in care may be provided during spring and Winter breaks dependent on number of children requesting care. We require a minimum of 15 children every day in order to open. Families will be charged a rate of $75 per day or the regular drop-in rates for partial days. Sign up for these times will be posted well in advance and parents are encouraged to register early, so LFP has ample time to staff those days.
Vacation/Extended Absence Credit
Little Forest Playschool allows for vacation or extended absence credit. To receive this credit, your child must be absent for 2 consecutive weeks, excluding scheduled closures. You must give us prior written notice of the absence. The period of absence will be billed at one-half of one month’s contracted tuition rate. No vacation credit is given during the summer session.
Transfer of Records
Whether transitioning to the next program setting or to a new classroom, your child’s records will be transferred internally.
If your child is transitioning to a new school, a written request from you with instructions to where the records should be sent is required.
Snow Closures And Delays
The following guidelines will be followed for all snow closures and delays:
Little Forest Playschool will follow Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for snow delays and closures.
LFP will be CLOSED if LANL is CLOSED. LFP classes will be on a delayed start if LANL is on a delayed start. LFP will open at 8:30
instead of 7:30 if there is a one hour delay and 9:30 if there is a two hour delay and so on. If LANL closes early Little Forest will close 1 hour after the Lab.
Days missed because of snow will not be made up, nor will tuition be refunded. The Little Forest Playschool voice mail will be updated as frequently as possible. The LANL hotline is 667-6622.
Dismissal
Little Forest Playschool reserves the right to withdraw a child from enrollment for the following reasons:
1. A parent fails to submit a current immunization record which includes all required immunizations (or a medical or religious exemption) by the first day the child attends LFP;
2. A parent becomes delinquent in payment of fees and refuses to pay the amount requested;
3. A child has behavioral difficulties which hinder his/her or other children’s participation in the program at LFP that the parent(s) cannot or will not address in cooperation with Little Forest staff, or that the staff feels are not improving over time.
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Drop-Off & Pick-Up General Procedure
We open at 7:30 AM. Please do not drop-off your child prior to the opening. Parents/guardians are expected to accompany their children and sign them in.
We close at 5:30 PM. Please allow enough time to arrive, sign your child out, and leave by closing time.
For safety reasons, a parent or an adult must accompany their child to the classroom or playground when bringing them to school or picking them up. Any person picking up a child must be 18 years or older, including siblings who are sent in to pick up a child. Parents/guardians should inform the child’s teacher(s) in advance if you know that someone else will be picking up a child. All persons picking up children should always make contact with the teacher at time of pick-up.
Authorized & Unauthorized Pick-up
Your child will only be released to you or those persons you have listed as Emergency and Release Contacts. Emergency contacts must be 18 years or older. If you want a person who is not identified as an Emergency and Release Contact to pick-up your child, you must notify us in advance and fill out an individual Child Release Form (available in the office) and leave it with your child’s teacher. Your child will not be released without prior written authorization. The person picking up your child will be required to show a picture ID as verification. Please notify your pick-up person of our policy.
If a child has not been picked up after closing and we have not heard from you, attempts will be made to contact you, and the contacts listed as Emergency and Release Contacts. Provisions will be made for someone to stay with your child as long as possible, but if after 2 hours we have not been able to reach you or a person listed as an Emergency and Release Contact, we will call the local child protective services agency.
Under NO circumstances will LFP release a child to anyone NOT authorized to pick up that child. For the safety of the children, cars may not, for any reason, be left running in the parking lot while you are dropping off or picking up your child. All cars must be turned off and the keys brought with the driver into LFP. Please do not leave infants or young children unattended in cars in our parking lot.
Right to Refuse Child Release
We may refuse to release children if we have reasonable cause to suspect that any person picking up a child is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is physically or emotionally impaired in any way that may endanger the child. To protect your child, we may request that another adult listed as an Emergency and Release Contact pick-up the child or we may call the police to prevent potential harm to your child. Reoccurring situations may result in the release of your child from the program.
Cell Phone Usage
The times you spend in the center dropping off and picking up your child are the primary windows of time we have to communicate with you about your child. In order to make the best use of these opportunities, as well as to be attentive to your child and other children, we ask that you NOT use your cell phone at any time while visiting the center.
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Personal Belongings What to Bring
Toddlers: at least two changes of clothes or more per day if going through the toilet training program. Diapers/Pull-ups and wipes should be provided by the family, as well as any diaper creams the family wants applied (Medication Sheet or Permission to Administer will be required in order to apply diaper cream).
Preschoolers: at least one change of clothes, including underwear, socks and shoes.
Please label all items brought from home with your child’s name (i.e., clothes, diapers, pacifiers, sheets, blanket, mat storage bags, pillows, etc.) to prevent items from becoming misplaced or lost. We are not responsible for lost or damaged items.
Cubbies
Upon enrollment each child will be assigned a “cubby.” Cubbies are labeled with your child’s name and often a photo. Please check your child’s cubby on a daily basis for items that need to be taken home.
Lost & Found
You can look for lost items and bring found items to the Lost-and-found Box located in the lobby. Please note that we are not responsible for lost personal property.
Toys from Home
We request that you do not allow your child to bring toys from home into the center unless they are part of a show-and-tell activity. If item is for show-and-tell, the item will be returned to the child’s cubby or backpack after the activity is over. We are NOT responsible for lost or broken items.
If your child’s schedule includes rest time, he/she may being in a soft toy to snuggle with, but the toy will be returned to the cubby after rest time is over.
Costumes
We request that you do not allow your child to wear costumes or pajamas to the center unless they are part of a special activity for that day (e.g. Halloween Parade, PJ day, etc.).
All classrooms at LFP have dramatic play centers which are stocked with a variety of dress-up clothing to help stimulate children’s natural creativity.
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Nutrition Lunch
Parents of children who stay after 12pm are expected to provide a lunch for their child. Parents are encouraged to send simple, nutritious lunches that do not contain excessive sweets. Please do not send sodas or candy in your child’s lunch.
There is a microwave oven in each classroom for heating lunches as necessary. We also provide hot water for children who bring dried noodles or soup in an appropriate container.
Any day a parent forgets to provide a lunch, LFP will provide the child with appropriate lunch food and the parents will be charged $7.00. This is only for emergencies and not intended as a regular service.
Snacks
Morning and afternoon snack are included in tuition fees and will be provided by LFP. A monthly snack schedule is posted on the bulletin board in each classroom. Please notify the teacher in the classroom no later than the first day of attendance if your child has food allergies or other special dietary needs. If your child has severe allergies please talk with the Director and carefully review the Food Allergy Policy.
All classroom snacks will follow the State mandated guidelines below:
Each snack will include at least 2 different food groups
Snack items will not be repeated within a one week period
2% Milk or 100% undiluted juice will be served with each snack If you wish to bring in a snack to share with your child’s class (birthday cupcakes, for example) you must make arrangements with the classroom teacher at least one week before hand so there is time to notify other parents and make changes to the Snack Schedule.
Food Allergies
Please refer to “Health Policies” in next section.
Meal & Snack Times
At snack time the table(s) is set with placemats and real or disposable plates and flatware, and the food is usually served “family style”. Staff join the children sitting at the same table. Children are encouraged to serve themselves from food passed around each table. Good table manners are modeled and encouraged. Weekly menus are posted for viewing by parents/caregivers.
Lunch time is similar, but the children eat the food brought in from home. We do not allow children to share or exchange the food which you provide.
A caregiver who is trained in first-aid for choking is present at all meals.
Toddler Feedings
Children are encouraged to self-feed to the extent that they have the skills. Children are encouraged, but not forced to eat a variety of foods. Round, firm foods that pose a choking hazard for children less than 4 years of age are not permitted. These foods include: hot dogs, whole grapes, peanuts, popcorn, thickly spread peanut butter and hard candy.
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Health Policies Immunizations
Children who enter LFP for the first time are required by the State to have up-to-date immunization records (including all required immunizations) or have a current notarized Certificate of Exemption Form on file at the school. Current immunization records are required for every child attending school 24 hours before the first day of school. This requirement shall be strictly enforced for your child’s protection. Please remember to bring in records of additional immunizations as they occur. Children who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to attend.
Immunizations are required according to the current schedule required by NM State Licensing:
4 doses of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (DTP, DTaP)
3 doses of Polio
3 doses of Haemophilus Influenza B (HIB)
3 doses of Hepatitis B
1 dose of Hepatitis A
1 dose of Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
1 dose of Varicella (Chicken Pox)
If a child is not immunized due to religious or medical reasons, you may apply for a state waiver of any/all immunizations and must provide the office with a current notarized Certificate of Exemption Form. For the safety of your child and the entire LFP population, unimmunized children are excluded during outbreaks of vaccine preventable illness as directed by the state health department.
Physicals & Other Health Screenings
Little Forest Playschool is aware that following health and safety best practices is an important way to provide quality early care and education for young children. A child’s development and ability to learn is affected by his/her general health, vision, dental health, and hearing.
Scientific evidence indicates that much of a child's learning is based on vision. Vision screening is vital to detecting and correcting barriers to learning and development among children. Dental health has a significant impact on the general health and well-being of children. Poor oral health impacts social function and can lead to limitations in communication and social interactions. The critical period for a child's language development occurs during the first two years. The younger a child is when auditory and language stimulation occurs, the better the chances of establishing language centers in the brain. A child’s growth and development are followed―or monitored―through a partnership between parents and health care professionals. At each well-child visit, the doctor looks for developmental delays or problems and talks with the parents about any concerns the parents might have. In addition, doctors may conduct a developmental screening. Early care and education programs can also build healthy lifestyles for generations to come.
LFP requires the following health checks or screenings:
Annual child wellness check (physical)
Dental screening
Visual screening
Auditory screening
Annual developmental screening or Ages & Stages Questionnaire has been administered.
Appropriate resources or referrals will be provided if screenings have not taken place.
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Illness
We understand that it is difficult for a family member to leave or miss work, but to protect other children; you may not bring a sick child to the center. The center has the right to refuse a child who appears ill. You will be called and asked to retrieve your child if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms. This is not an all-inclusive list. We will try to keep your child comfortable but he/she will be excluded from all activities until you arrive.
Illness that prevents your child from participating in activities (e.g., lethargy).
Illness that results in greater need for care than we can provide.
Fever (above 100°F under the arm, above 101°F in the mouth, above 102°F in the ear) accompanied by other symptoms.
Diarrhea – stools with blood or mucus, and/or uncontrolled, unformed stools that cannot be contained in a diaper/underwear or toilet.
Vomiting – green or bloody, and/or 2 or more times during the previous 24 hours.
Rash with fever, unless a physician has determined it is not a communicable disease.
Pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge, until on antibiotics for 24 hours.
Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment.
Strep throat, until 24 hours after treatment.
Head lice, until treatment and all nits are removed.
Scabies, until 24 hours after treatment.
Chickenpox, until all lesions have dried and crusted.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough), until 5 days of antibiotics.
Hepatitis A virus, until one week after immune globulin has been administered.
excessive dark yellow or green nasal discharge
Children who have been ill may return when:
They are free of fever, vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours, without the aid of fever reducers.
They have been treated with an antibiotic for 24 hours.
They are able to participate comfortably in all usual activities.
They are free of open, oozing skin conditions and drooling (not related to teething) unless: o The child’s physician signs a note stating that the child’s condition is not contagious,
and; o The involved areas can be covered by a bandage without seepage or drainage through
the bandage.
If a child had a reportable communicable disease, a physician’s note stating that the child is no longer contagious and may return to our care is required.
Please refer to Appendix D for the Child Care Center Exclusion List
Food Allergy Policy
Little Forest Playschool Guidelines
LFP will keep a copy of health records for all students with severe food allergies
Every classroom will post a school-wide list of children with food allergies/intolerances which includes the prohibited foods and parents’ phone numbers for each child.
Every classroom will post a Food Allergy Action Plan for each child assigned one.
This list will be discussed at staff meetings twice yearly and every time a new child is added to the list.
Staff will discuss the policy for managing students with food allergies and will have regular trainings in the administration of emergency medication (epi pen).
Food brought in by or for the staff at LFP and placed in the office or elsewhere should be inaccessible to children.
Children are only allowed to eat food designated from their classroom or food they have brought from home.
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Field trips will be discussed with the family of the food-allergic child to decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy.
Family’s Guidelines
Notify the school of child’s allergy(s) in writing.
Review and sign the LFP Food Allergy Policy.
Provide a Food Allergy Action Plan completed by the food-allergic child’s physician.
Provide properly labeled medications (as directed by a physician) and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
Provide individual lunch and a personal class-time snack when appropriate.
Please address any concerns or questions about the food allergy policy to the Director.
Medications
State regulations require that all medications should be handed to a staff member with specific instructions for administration.
Under no circumstances should medication be left in a child’s lunch box, backpack, or anywhere else accessible to children or with the child to administer on their own.
Our staff will ensure that the medication is recorded along with the directions and proceed to dispense the medication as directed.
Prescription medications require a note signed by the family and a written order from the child’s physician. The label on the medication meets this requirement. The medication must include your child’s name, dosage, current date, frequency, and the name and phone number of the physician. All medications must be in the original container (you may request pharmacies to fill your prescription in two labeled bottles). Please specify the dosage and time(s) to be administered for each medication. Parents are required to sign and provide the requested information on a “Medication Sheet” (available in classrooms and office)
Non-prescription medications require a note signed by the family and/or physician. Non-prescription medication should not be administered for more than a 3-day period unless a written order by the physician is received. Parents are required to sign and provide the requested information on a “Medication Sheet”. (available in classrooms and office)
Non-prescription topical ointments (e.g., diaper cream, chapstick, sunscreen or other lotions, insect repellants, and cough drops) require a note signed by the family and/or doctor, specifying frequency and dosage to be administered. Parents are required to sign and provide the requested information on a “Medication Sheet” or “Permission to Administer”. (available in classrooms and office)
All medicine must be age appropriate for the child receiving the medication. If not, LFP must
have a doctor’s signature in order for staff to administer the medication.
Communicable Diseases
When an enrolled child or an employee of the center has a (suspected) reportable disease, it is our legal responsibility to notify the local Board of Health or Department of Public Health. We will take care to notify families about exposure so children can receive preventive treatments. Included among the reportable illnesses are the following:
Bacterial Meningitis
Botulism
Chicken Pox
Diphtheria
Heamophilus Influenza (invasive)
Measles (including suspect)
Meningoccocal Infection (invasive)
Poliomyelitis (including suspect)
Rabies (human only)
Rubella Congenital and Non-congenital (including suspect)
Tetanus (including suspect)
H1N1 Virus
Any cluster/outbreak of illnesses
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Safety Clothing
Please dress your child in practical clothing that they can easily handle themselves, that allows for freedom of movement, and is appropriate for the weather. Your child will be involved in a variety of activities including: painting, outdoor play, sand, weather, and other sensory activities.
Pants and shorts are preferred and non-slip, closed toe shoes are advised. All dresses and skirts must be accompanied with shorts or tights underneath. Our playground is used as an extension of the center, and daily programs are conducted outside except in the most extreme weather conditions. Boots, mittens, snow pants, jackets and a hood or hat are required during winter months.
Please label all clothing and check the classroom or lobby Lost & Found for missing items. We request that you always have a seasonally appropriate change of clothing for your child in his/her cubby, including socks, underwear, and an extra pair of shoes. In the event we have to supply your child with LFP clothing, please launder and return the clothing as soon as possible so it is available to others when needed.
Communal Water-Play
Communal, unsupervised water play is prohibited. Supervised children are permitted to engage in water-play. Precautions (e.g., daily cleaning & sanitizing) are taken to ensure that communal water-play does not spread communicable infectious disease.
Injuries
Safety is a major concern in child care and so daily safety inspections are completed inside and outside the center area in order to prevent injuries. First aid will be administered by a trained caregiver in the event that your child sustains a minor injury (e.g., scraped knee). You will receive an incident report outlining the incident and course of action taken. If the injury produces any type of swelling or needs medical attention, you will be contacted immediately. Each classroom is equipped with a first aid kit meeting the state regulations.
In the event of a serious medical emergency, the child will be taken to the hospital immediately by ambulance, while we will try to contact you or an emergency contact. (refer to section on “Emergencies” for more details.
Biting
Biting is a normal stage of development that is common among infants and toddlers – and sometimes even among preschoolers. It is something that most young children will try at least once.
When biting happens, our response will be to care for and help the child who was bitten and to help the child who bit learn a more appropriate behavior. Our focus will not be on punishment for biting, but on effective behaviors that address the specific reason for biting.
Notes will be written to the family of the child who was bitten and to the family of the child who bit. We will work together with the families of each to keep them informed and to develop strategies for change.
Respectful Behavior
All children and families will be treated with respect and dignity. In return, we expect the same from all of our families. We will not tolerate hostile or aggressive behavior. If this occurs, we reserve the right to ask you to control your behavior or to remove your child(ren) from our care.
Smoking
The poisons in secondhand smoke are especially harmful to infants and young children’s developing bodies. LFP does not promote smoking, nor does it want to model this behavior. As required by law, all
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facilities and vehicles owned, operated or leased by Little Forest Playschool are smoke-free. The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on the center’s premises.
Employees/Families/Visitors shall not smoke within 25 feet from a building entrance or exit or anywhere they can be seen from the school premises, including the playground areas. Smoking is permitted in personal vehicles, provided the vehicles are not in the line of sight from the LFP premises.
Prohibited Substances
The use of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited on the center’s premises. Possession of illegal substances or unauthorized potentially toxic substances is prohibited.
Any adult who appears to be inebriated, intoxicated, or otherwise under the influence of mind-altering or polluting substances is required to leave the premises immediately.
Dangerous Weapons
A dangerous weapon is a gun, knife, razor, or any other object, which by the manner it is used or intended to be used, is capable of inflicting bodily harm. Families, children, staff or guests (other than law enforcement officers) possessing a dangerous weapon will not be permitted onto the premises.
In cases that clearly involve a gun, or any other weapon on our premises, the police will be called and the individual(s) involved will be immediately removed from the premises. This policy applies to visible or concealed weapons.
Child Custody
Without a court document, both parents/guardians have equal rights to custody. We are legally bound to respect the wishes of the parent/guardian with legal custody based on a certified copy of the most recent court order, active restraining order, or court-ordered visitation schedule. We will not accept the responsibility of deciding which parent/guardian has legal custody where there is no court documentation.
Suspected Child Abuse
All staff members of Little Forest Playschool are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse. Therefore, LFP is required by law to report all observations of child abuse or neglect cases to the appropriate state authorities if we have reasonable cause to believe or suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect or is in danger of abuse or neglect, no matter where the abuse might have occurred. The child protective service agency (CPS) will determine appropriate action and may conduct an investigation. It then becomes the role of the agency to determine if the report is substantiated and to work with the family to ensure the child’s needs are met. Our center will cooperate fully with any investigation and will maintain confidentiality concerning any report of child abuse or neglect.
In the event a properly identified police officer or social services worker comes to interview a child at LFP, the Director, Assistant Director or child’s teacher will notify the parents as soon as is practicable. It will be suggested to the interviewer that a Little Forest staff member familiar to the child be present during the interview, but this cannot be guaranteed.
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Emergencies
Lost or Missing Child
In the unlikely event that a child becomes lost or separated from a group, all available staff will search for the child. If the child is not located within 3-5 minutes, 911 will be called and the family will be notified. Any such incident will be reported to CYFD.
Fire Safety
Our center is fully equipped with fire extinguishers and an alarm system, which alerts LAFD in the event that the alarm is triggered. Our fire evacuation plan is reviewed with the children and staff on a monthly basis by holding unannounced fire drills. Parents who are on the premises at the time of the fire drill are required to follow the proper evacuation procedures as posted in the classrooms. No one may reenter the building until the “All Clear” bell has sounded. In the event that the school must be evacuated for any reason, all staff and students on the premises will walk to:
Plan A: First Baptist Church, 2200 Diamond Drive, 662-3712
Plan B: Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond, 662-3104
Plan C: Aspen Elementary School, 2182 33rd St, 663-2275
The emergency and crisis action plans are also posted in the lobby as well as each classroom.
Emergency Procedures
Staff members are trained in First Aid and CPR. If immediate or emergency medical attention is deemed necessary by the staff, 911 will be called. Every attempt will be made to reach the parents as soon as possible. No staff member will transport an injured or ill child to a doctor or to the emergency room.
In the event your child needs to be transported due to a medical emergency, if no other authorized person can be contacted and the need for transportation is essential, an ambulance will be called for transportation. A proper escort will accompany and remain with the child until a family member or emergency contact arrives.
Please refer to the LFP Crisis Action Plan posted on the Parent Board in the lobby.
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LFP Governance & Structure LFP is a non-profit corporation. Copies of the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures are available in the office. The Corporation is comprised of all parents who have a child currently enrolled in LFP and who have a paid-up account, the Board of Directors, and the Teaching Staff. A Corporation meeting is held twice a year (Spring and August). Nominations for the Board of Directors are held at the Corporation meeting in August, with elections being completed 2 weeks later.
POC elections will be held in November for term which runs from January through December.
Please see the Bylaws for qualifications and duties of elected members.
Powers & Duties Of The Corporation
The Corporation sets the policies of LFP according to the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures. The Corporation also:
approves the annual budget; receives annual reports from the President of the Corporation, the Director, the Business
Manager or Finance Chair, and POC Representative to the Board; acts on any recommendations from the Board of Directors or POC; elects Board of Directors Members-at-Large; elects two non-Board parent members of the Nominations and Elections Committee; amends
the Bylaws and the Policies and Procedures; and transacts any additional business that comes before it.
Powers & Duties Of The Board Of Directors
The Board has the power to administer the affairs of LFP and to carry out the programs and policies of the Corporation according to the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures. Additional duties of the Board may be found in the Bylaws.
Duties Of The Nominations & Elections Committee
This committee annually (by March 15) draws up a slate of candidates to fill the parent member
positions both on the Board of Directors and on the Parent Operations Committee. Annually (by April
1), the committee shall draw up a slate of candidates to fill the member-at-large positions on the Board
of Directors and the Parent Representatives on the Nominations & Elections Committee.
Playschool Operations Committee (POC)
POC makes recommendations to the Board concerning the operation of LFP, raises funds and makes recommendations to the Board on the use of these funds. In addition, each position on POC carries a different, individual responsibility. Other responsibilities may be found in the Bylaws.
Duties Of The Personnel Committee
This committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding teacher candidates to be hired and regarding dismissal of a teacher. They may be requested to meet with a member of the teaching staff to hear a grievance.
Administrative Staff
Executive Director ........ April Wade – [email protected] Business Manager......... Training/Curriculum Coord….
Claire Ayraud – [email protected] Mo Connolly – [email protected]
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LFP Parents’ Grievance Procedure Parents who encounter a problem concerning the teaching or administrative staff of LFP may take the following steps:
1. Parents shall attempt to discuss and resolve a problem with the staff member or members. 2. If the problem is not thereby resolved (or they feel they cannot discuss the problem with the
staff member or members) they shall discuss the problem with the LFP Director. 3. If discussion with the Director does not resolve the problem, they shall discuss the problem
with one of the members of the Board of Directors. 4. If the problem still cannot be resolved, parents shall be advised of their rights to call the New
Mexico State Children, Youth, and Families Dept., Childcare Licensing Bureau, at 827-4185 (Santa Fe) to register a complaint.
Other Center Policies Our center policies not included in this handbook are reviewed annually and updated as needed. They are available for review upon request to the center director.
Copies of the By-Laws and Policies & Procedures of LFP are also available on the LFP website.
History Of Little Forest Playschool When the Los Alamos Branch of the American Association of University Women was organized in June 1950, it was one of the first study groups formed focused on learning about the development of the young child. As a result, in February of 1951, a playgroup was formed with children from one to five years of age. This class of fifteen children met in a public school kindergarten room on Saturday mornings with all mothers participating. The charge was ten cents per session for juice and supplies. The playgroup grew and by 1959 had classes and teachers, assisted by mother helpers. In 1962 AAUW Playschool rented a two-classroom building from the public schools and in 1964 formed a separate board of directors, with one member providing liaison with the AAUW Board. Enrollment was then 145 children attending once or twice a week with fees of $1.45 per class. In 1968 Playschool moved into its present building, the vacant Little Forest Elementary School, renting it annually from the public schools. Playschool initiated its first extended care classroom in 1978 in response to the need of a growing number of families with both parents working outside the home, while retaining a variety of parent-helper, preschool classes. Over the years, the extended care program has grown with the needs of the community, adding a full summer program in 1981 and an after-kindergarten class that same fall. Throughout these years Playschool was sponsored and directed by AAUW. In late summer of 1987 the Playschool Corporation met and voted to separate from AAUW and change Playschool’s name to Little Forest Playschool. Little Forest Playschool became a separate and independent corporation, retaining its status as a non-profit, parent cooperative preschool and childcare center.
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Appendix A: Holidays & Events 2016-2017 *
August 15-17 LFP CLOSED for Fall Session Set-up
August 17 6:00 p.m. Parent Orientation/Open House/Corporation Mtg
August 18 Fall Session Begins
September 5 Labor Day - Playschool CLOSED
September 10 Fall Fiesta, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at LFP
September 28 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
October 8 Fall Resale, 8am - 1pm at Crossroads Bible Church
October 10 Columbus Day - Playschool CLOSED
October 19 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
November 11 Veteran’s Day - Playschool CLOSED
November 16 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
November 24-25 Thanksgiving - Playschool CLOSED
December 16 5-7pm, LFP Winter Celebration
December 21 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
December 26- January 6 Winter Break - Playschool CLOSED
January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Playschool CLOSED
January 18 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
February 20 President’s Day - Playschool CLOSED
February 15 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
TBD Spring Resale
March 15 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
March 27-31 Spring Break – Playschool CLOSED
April 19 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
May 17 6:00 p.m. Corporation Meeting
May 29 Memorial Day – Playschool CLOSED
June 9 Last day of 2016-17 School Year
June 12-16 Playschool CLOSED for Summer Session Set-Up
June 19 Summer session begins
* Meeting and some event dates are projected and may be changed as needed
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Appendix B: Family Activities We offer a variety of ways for families to participate in the growth and improvement of our program. We encourage families to take an active role. Governance: Parents may serve on our governing bodies:
Board of Directors – meets monthly
Playschool Operations Committee – organizes fundraisers and other activities Family Events: We have several events throughout the year that bring our entire community together. Watch for the announcements!
Open House
Family Orientation
Fall Fiesta
Playground Workdays
Holiday Gatherings
Annual Family Picnic
Corporation Meetings
Classroom Activities: Enjoy and help your child’s class with these special activities.
Share a meal with your child
Chaperone field trips
Read to children at arrival or pickup
Volunteer in the classroom
Donate requested items
Serve as a parent representative
Welcome new families
Contribute to class Pot Luck Meal
Family Teacher conferences
Family/Parent Workshops: Our menu of family workshops changes annually. Below is a list of workshops we may offer. We try to offer these in the early evening or on Saturdays. See the monthly calendar for scheduled topics. We welcome requests for workshop topics.
Positive Guidance and Loving Discipline
Toilet Training
Safety in the Home
Child Proofing Your Home
Brain Development
Nutrition and Exercise for Small Bodies
Separation Anxiety
Reassuring Your Child During Divorce
Supporting Your Child in Times of Stress
Food Allergies
How to Prepare for a Conference
Warning Signs for Developmental Delays
Value of Reading to Your Child
Everyday Math
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What room will my child be in?
Appendix C: 2017-2018 Schedules & Rates Rates applicable from June 9, 2017 – June 1, 2018
Hours/week
Rooms 1 and 4
Monthly Tuition
(Preschool/Pre-k)
Room 2 Monthly Tuition
(Transition)
Room 3
Monthly Tuition
(Infant/Toddler)
Tuition Deposit
6-9 $ 340 $ 359 $ 378
$200 10-12 $ 397 $ 419 $ 441
13-15 $ 491 $ 518 $ 545
16-20 $ 607 $ 641 $ 674
$350 21-25 $ 716 $ 756 $ 796
26-30 $ 808 $ 853 $ 899
31-35 $ 879 $ 927 $ 976
36-40 $ 957 $ 1,010 $ 1,063
$ 500 41-45 $ 1,009 $ 1,065 $ 1,120
46-50 $ 1,083 $ 1,143 $ 1,203
The administration will place your child(ren) based off of:
• NM Public School birthday cut-off date for Kindergarten (children must be 5 before September 1st to enter Kindergarten
• Room availability • Teacher recommendation • If possible, parent requests
We encourage you to bring your child as much as possible! WHY you ask?? The more we see them:
the faster they adjust to school the faster we can bond with them the more friendships they build with peers and the obvious, the more time they have to EXPLORE! PLAY! LEARN!
• All schedules must be in 30min increments
• Correct 7:30-4:30 or 8:00-12:30 • Incorrect 8:15-3:15pm or 9:20-12:20pm
• Your schedule must be at least 3 hours a day, 2 days a week - NO EXCEPTIONS • All schedules must include the 9:00-12:00 time block everyday • You may not schedule pickup time between 1:00-3:00 (this is when children nap) • Tuition rates will be based on the next whole hour
• EX: if hours per week = 15.5 you will be charged for 16 hours per week
• Your schedule must remain the same every week • We HIGHLY encourage you to keep your daily scheduled hours the same throughout the week
• It creates consistency for your child • It makes scheduling easier for staff to child ratios • It makes billing easier
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Appendix D: Child Care Center Exclusion List
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Appendix E: Health Provider Information & Resources Health Information & Resources
( this list is provided for your convenience, but is not intended to be all inclusive)
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY
PEDIATRICIANS & FAMILY CARE
o Children’s Clinic PA (Pediatrics) 3917 West Rd Ste 128 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-4234
o Jacqueline Krohn MD (Pediatrics) 3917 W Rd, Ste. 136, Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-9620 (Office) (505) 662-0024 (Fax)
o Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic (Family Practice) 3917 West Rd, Ste 150 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 6624351
o Care First (Family Practice) 3500 Trinity Dr Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 661-2411
o Los Alamos Family Practice PA (Family Practice) 3917 West Rd, Ste 130 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-2900
LOS ALAMOS VISION CARE PROVIDERS
o Los Alamos Family Eye Care Shin Lisa OD 800 Trinity Dr STE B, Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-9681
o Atomic Eye Care
800 Trinity Dr Ste J Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-7000
o Eye Associates of New Mexico
1623 Central Ave Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-5444
LOS ALAMOS DENTAL CARE PROVIDERS o Ortiz Moss Dental Associates
2101 Trinity Dr Ste P Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-2426
LA DENTAL CARE PROVIDERS (cont.) o High Mesa Dental Arts
555 Oppenheimer Dr, Ste 204 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-4252
106 A Longview Dr White Rock, NM 87544 (505) 672-3869
o Daniel Meyers M DDS MS 2610 Trinity Dr, Ste 5 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-6288
o Arthur Montoya B DDS
2610 Trinity Dr, Ste 3 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-5666
o Patrick Coriz DDS
3500 Trinity Dr Ste B1 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-3163
o Alpine Laser Dental
3491 Trinity Dr Los Alamos, NM 87544
o Ellen Ballard DDS
111 Longview Dr, Ste B-3 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 672-2020
o Pueblo De Ninos Dental 3250 Trinity Dr, Ste A Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-4555
o Dr. Mary Ellen Slaughter 3917 West Rd, Ste 128 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-4234
o Smile Factory
3491 Trinity Dr Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 412-4013
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SANTA FE COUNTY
MEDICAL CARE
La Familia Medical Center o Administration Office 505-982-4599
Medical Clinic 505-982-4425 Behavioral Health Clinic 505-982-4425 P.O. Box 5395 Santa Fe, NM 87502
1035 Alto Street Santa Fe, NM 87501
o Medical Clinic 505-438-3195
Southside Center 2145 Caja del Oro Grant Road Santa Fe, NM 87507
Presbyterian Medical Service (PMS) o Central Administration Office
505-982-5565 P.O. Box 2267 1422 Paseo de Peralta, Building 3 Santa Fe, NM 87504
o Medical & Behavioral Health Clinic
505-986-9633 2960 Rodeo Park Drive West Santa Fe, NM 87505
o Healthy Tomorrows Van
505-467-1575
501 Airport Rd Santa Fe, NM 87507
SANTA FE EYE CARE PROVIDERS
o Eye Associates of New Mexico 2947 Rodeo Park East Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 983-6613
o Mark S. Bradley, MD
1925 Aspen Dr Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-446-2575
DENTAL CARE PROVIDERS
o Presbyterian Medical Service (PMS) Mobile Dental Unit 505-473-0540 3908 Paseo Del Sol Santa Fe, NM 87507
o La Familia Medical Center
Dental Clinic 505-984-5048 P.O. Box 5395 Santa Fe, NM 87502 1035 Alto Street Santa Fe, NM 87501
o Dental Clinic 505-474-1438
Southside Center
2145 Caja del Oro Grant Road Santa Fe, NM 87507
o Monarch Dental
811 St. Michaels Dr. Suite 101 Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 820-2344
o Patricia Peck, DDS
1692 B Hospital Dr, Suite 102 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: 505-989-9033
o James Evans, DDS, MS
Kris W. Hendricks, DDS 2904 Rodeo Park Dr. East, #300 Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-473-5437
o Michael Mason
1456 St. Francis Dr. South Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-984-1827
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RIO ARRIBA COUNTY
MEDICAL CARE
El Centro Family Health o Administration Office 505-753-7218
PO Box 158 111 North Railroad Avenue Espanola, NM 87532 Fax: 505-753-5815
o Medical Clinic/Embudo Clinic 505-579-4255
P.O. Box 98 Highway 68, No. 2243, Rinconada Embudo, NM 87531 Fax: 505-579-4669
o Medical & Behavioral Health Clinic
Bond Clinic 505-753-9503 711 Bond Street Espanola, NM 87532 Fax: 505-747-1004
o Medical & Behavioral Health Clinic Espanola Clinic 505-753-7395 620 Coronado Street Espanola, NM 87532 Fax: 505-753-8373
VISION CARE PROVIDERS
o Eye Associates of New Mexico 412 Paseo De Onate Espanola, NM 87532 (505) 853-7868
DENTAL CARE PROVIDERS
o El Centro Family Health Dental Clinic 505-753-9454 Espanola Dental Clinic 608-B La Joya Street Espanola, NM 87532
PUBLIC/COUNTY HEALTH OFFICES
o Los Alamos County Health Office
1183 Diamond Dr, Suite D Los Alamos, NM 87544
o Rio Arriba County (Espanola) Health Office
505-753-2794 30 County Road 8 Espanola, NM 87532
o Santa Fe County Public Health Office
505-476-2600 605 Letrado Street Santa Fe, NM 87505
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Appendix F: LFP Discipline Policy Guidance, Never Punishment
Goal: To help children achieve autonomy: to teach self-discipline and decision making; to help children learn to internalize control and take other points of view into account. This means it is essential to make expectations, rules and limits very clear. How children are taught to handle the problems and conflicts that occur every day will set the foundation for how they conduct themselves later in life. Like all growth, this process takes time, practice, and increasing maturity.
Philosophy: We feel that all discipline should be carried out with respect for the dignity and self-esteem of all involved. We do not believe that physical punishment is ever appropriate or effective.
Rules should: • Provide a base and a sense of security for children • Be kept to a minimum and be kept short and simple • Be reasonable, fair and consistent -- agreed upon by all staff • Be age appropriate • Be enforced consistently, firmly, and calmly • Be repeated to children whenever necessary -- before the fact when possible • Be explained and the reasons for the rule presented
Rewards and punishments:
Adults exercise power over children by using rewards and punishments, and it is these sanctions that keep children obedient and outer-controlled -- rather than inner-controlled.
Punishment leads to three possible outcomes:
calculation of risks (how likely am I to get caught?);
blind conformity (What an adult says is right, whether it makes sense or not); or
revolt (You’re not the boss of me!).
While rewards are nicer than punishments, they too reinforce children's heteronomy -- their dependence on external controls. If we want children to develop the morality of autonomy, we must reduce our adult power by refraining from using rewards and punishments, and encourage them to construct for themselves their own sense of self and their own moral values.
A child's self-esteem is easily influenced by discipline. When discipline is given, the adult's response should be as private as possible to avoid the punishment of public embarrassment and the subsequent loss of self-confidence.
Staff should be consistent about behavioral expectations of children dependent upon their age and maturity level. Staff encourages children to use words to express anger or frustration. "I cannot let you hit him--it hurts. Tell him you don’t like that. Tell him with words."
Authoritarian demands do not provide good role modeling. If staff uses a loud voice and irritated tone the children will copy that model.
Provide language modeling for your children so that they will know what to do and say the next time. "You need to tell Bryan that you don't like to be hit."
Take the time to teach problem solving skills. Help the children to think of alternative solutions and the effects of choosing those alternatives. Children who participate in the decision-making process are more likely to adhere to their decisions. "People don't like it when you grab. Ask if you can have a turn and then listen to the answer. Did she say no? O.K. Maybe ask her when she’ll be done."
Don't blame any child for starting an aggressive act! "I can't let you hurt anyone--you need to use words to tell people if you are angry."
Comfort the hurt child. Ask both parties to say what they think happened. Have them talk to each other about possible solutions. Ask them, "How can we..." "What could you do the next time..." Children soon learn to generate their own solutions. Saying "Sorry" doesn't solve the problem. ‘I’m sorry’ can mean anything from, “I’m sorry I did that” to, “I’m sorry I got caught”. Instead, suggest possible ways of handling the situation – “I think that really hurt your friend. Did you check if she’s alright? I don’t think you meant to hurt anyone. You might let her know it was an accident.”
Staff should inform children of the consequences of their actions (cause and effect - when age appropriate) Children learn natural and logical consequences through experience… For example: “When we take toys
© 2013 CCA Global Partners, Inc. 34
outside, it’s very easy for them to get lost. I can tell you’re really sad that your favorite truck is lost." or "If you throw sand again I will ask you to leave the sandbox. It hurts people's eyes."
Through redirection a child is asked to change an undesirable activity but offered an acceptable alternative. The teacher focuses on the positive alternatives. Although the teacher is solving the problem, she is doing so with positive language. "Spiderman is too rough and loud for inside. When we go outside you can play that game." "Keep the sand low, this way. Dig down deep with the shovel." A child climbing on the perimeter fence can be encouraged to climb on the climbing structure instead.
"Off the tables please...The climber outside is good for climbing."
"Alicia, your loud crying makes it hard for us to hear each other. (To the other
children) When she can tell me with words what's wrong, she will."
When a child tells a lie the adult can look him straight in the eye with great skepticism and affection and say, "I really can't believe what you are saying because..."
Deprivation of equipment or privileges can be an extension of logical consequences of inappropriate behavior. Again, the child may be given the opportunity to decide when he is capable of playing appropriately. Or, if the teacher sets the time limit it should be for an understandable length of time, "until after snack...the rest of the afternoon/morning."
Often children can be required to repair the damage, to make restitution. If a young child spills paint on the floor, an appropriate reaction may be to say, "Please help me to clean it up?" Later in the year, (or years later), it might be enough just to ask, "What do you have to do?"
In some situations the child will be so upset that he/she will be unable to talk and may become physically abusive. A teacher can hold, restrain, the child with just sufficient strength to protect the child or other children and help restore calm. Sooth the child and then discuss the incident. (Always remember to notice when this or any child is doing something right.)
Children who behave inappropriately often receive more attention from adults. Teachers can selectively ignore borderline behavior that does not affect the group. A child turns off the light in the bathroom. The teacher turns it back on and says simply, "Let's get ready for rest." Two children are poking each other as they are getting their coats on, "I see we are ready to go outside."
Much foul language is simply a "test" and can be ignored, or minimally responded to: "Yes, I heard Lara say that word. Lara, we've heard that word enough. It is not a school word." If it continues the teacher can encourage the child to use the bathroom for such talk.
Promises made to children must be kept. Write it down so that you will remember later what you have promised. "We are out of time now; I'll paint your face tomorrow." "It's hard for Mary to wait so long for a turn. Let her have the truck in about three minutes. I'll time it on my watch and let you know."
Time out should not be used as a punishment. Children should not be threatened with or fearful of time out. Whenever possible a child should be redirected to an alternative activity or area. When a child must be separated from the group an adult needs to closely supervise him/her and the child must be given the possibility of deciding when he can behave well enough to return to the group. Mechanical time limits serve only as punishment, and children who have served their time often feel perfectly free to commit the same misdeed again. If a child is upset, after s/he has calmed down, the child and the teacher should briefly talk about feelings. "You can either stay here without bothering us, or I must ask you to go to the book corner and read by yourself." To be sure the choice offered is coercive and between two things he dislikes, but the important element is the possibility of making a decision about his own behavior.
Because Praise ("I like the way you painted that picture") focuses on teacher approval it is less constructive than Encouragement. Encouragement does not place a value judgment on the child's work: "You worked a long time on that painting." Depersonalize: "Everyone feels better when..." "It's great to see books treated so carefully."
Tattling: Again, let children resolve their own differences. Only intervene when necessary. "Amy and Ginnie need to work that out. Could you let them?"
If a child comes to you for help, you might point out possible solutions:
You need to tell Nick how that makes you feel, not "teacher said..." "I don't like the way you are talking--it hurts my feelings."
Tell her/him that you don't want to play the tattling game.
"If you don't run, they can't chase you."
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"Find someone else to play with if you keep having trouble."
Power struggle manipulations: "I don't have to do what you tell me, you're not the boss of me...My mother said I can..." Response: "Yes, I'm here to take care of you and the other children. When you are here you need to remember what our rules are."
It is imperative that teachers become sensitive to the feelings which children or situations can evoke in them, and examine them as to their appropriateness. Are you over-reacting? Because you are tired or frustrated or just don't want to be bothered? Are your rules and procedures in the best interests of the children or out of your needs or limitations (you don't want to have to clean up after them)?
Remember the key question should always be, "How can I best help this child control his behavior and feel good about himself." We are here to help and guide children. Any of the preceding techniques can quickly degenerate into punishments if there is no relationship of mutual affection and respect between the adult and the child. Mutual respect is, in fact, essential for the child's development of autonomy.
The child who feels respected for the way he thinks and feels is likely to feel respect for the way adults and other children think and feel.
PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH US -- CHILDREN NEED TO SEE US ALL WORKING TOGETHER
Playschool feels that it is important to communicate with parents regarding home and center childrearing practices in order to minimize potential conflicts and confusion for children.
New Mexico State Regulations require that every parent reads and acknowledges the school Discipline Policy. You must sign the acknowledgement in the registration packet.
This copy is yours to keep.
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Appendix G: Chain of Command Administrative Staff:
Executive Director ........ April Wade – [email protected] Business Manager......... Assistant Director………
Claire Ayraud – [email protected] Tiffany Fuerte – [email protected]
Little Forest Playschool Chain of Command
Governance: Board of Directors Administration (Day to Day Operations): Executive Director, Business Manager, Assistant
Director, Training & Curriculum Coordinator Teaching Staff: Teachers, Aides, Substitutes
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